Stay tuned for information about speaking opportunities for 2025!

2024 Speakers

Dominick J. Ard'is

Founder and Architect, ACT House

Dominick J. Ard'is

Founder and Architect, ACT House

Dominick J. Ard’is, actively leverages innovation models to bridge gaps within humanity, grounded on his model of diversity combining experience, expertise, and ethnicity. His model focuses on addressing ecosystem gaps around underestimated founders and mitigating startup failure. As CEO of ACT House, INC, Dominick collaborates with a team highly focused on assisting innovators in finding their entrepreneurial identity, accelerating team formation, and growing scalable ventures. Dominick is an honored graduate of Florida A&M University, with graduate degrees from Florida State University, and spends his summers at Middlebury College learning foreign languages. He enjoys working at the intersection of creativity and innovation provoked by the notion “Don’t just think different…ACT different”

Adam Berk

Startup Mentor, Techstars

Adam Berk

Startup Mentor, Techstars

Adam Berk is a startup collaboration and innovation expert with over a decade of experience working with large organizations to drive innovation at scale. He is the co-author of ""Startup Program Design"', a book about how organizations can work with startups for better outcomes on both sides. Adam has a proven track record of helping large public and private companies, government agencies, and impact-driven organizations implement ""innovation at scale"" using Lean Startup principles, hypothesis-driven product development, and evidence-based (stage-gate) investment governance. Adam is a mentor for Google for Startups and Techstars, as well as various college entrepreneurship programs. He has a keen interest in environmental and equity-based issues and loves to work with student accelerators. As a frequent speaker at innovation and entrepreneurship events, he shares his insights on Lean Startup principles, hypothesis-driven product development, and evidence-based investment governance. Adam's favorite question is ""What problem are you solving and for whom?"" He applies this question not just to startups, but to open innovation programs and ecosystem design.

Adam Boothe

Director of Esports, Prizepicks

Adam Boothe

Director of Esports, Prizepicks

Adam Boothe is the esports director of PrizePicks, the largest independent daily fantasy sports operator in the United States. Esports has been a focal point of PrizePicks’ innovation and success over the past four years. Boothe received a bachelor's degree in education and law before entering the DFS and OSB industries.

James Caldwell

Executive Director, The Music Education Group

James Caldwell

Executive Director, The Music Education Group

James Caldwell, founder and CEO of The Caldwell Group, has forged a strategic partnership with Wholeteam Enterprises and also established the MidAtlantic Music Conference. Wholeteam Enterprises empowers independent artists in the Southeast through comprehensive services, including event activation, music integration, booking, and multimedia campaigns. The Caldwell Group produces numerous music festivals and events annually, showcasing over 300 independent artists and bands across North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Canada. These events successfully connect international musicians with prominent brands such as Sam Ash Music Stores, Monster Energy Drink, Anheuser-Busch, and SESAC. Deeply committed to community impact, Caldwell has served as executive director for The Music Education Group since 2012. This 501(c) 3) nonprofit equips students with life skills and career development through music, film, and digital media. Founded in 2004 by industry executive Ric Ross, MEG aims to provide music, film, and digital media education to underserved youth, ensuring equal opportunities for all children in metro Atlanta. With current programs in the metro area, MEG is poised for expansion in the coming years. Before launching his entrepreneurial ventures, he accumulated valuable experience in education and environmental management, serving as director of education for Junior Achievement of Georgia and environmental programs coordinator for The Home Depot. He studied biology and chemistry at Winston-Salem State University.

Julie Ann Crommett

President, Collective Moxie

Julie Ann Crommett

President, Collective Moxie

Julie Ann Crommett (she/her/ella) has led DEI efforts in media and tech for 15 years. As founder and CEO of Collective Moxie, she revolutionizes DEI strategies for organizations and artists. She co-created the GA List with The Black List to amplify Georgia writers. Formerly VP of Multicultural Audience Engagement at Disney, she diversified talent and launched Disney Launchpad: Shorts Incubator. Before Disney, she led DEI at Google and NBCUniversal. Crommett teaches inclusive storytelling at Georgia Tech and has received numerous awards for her work. Raised in Atlanta, she’s a proud Puerto Rican and Cuban American and a Harvard graduate.

Loretta Daniels, Ph.D.

Exec. Director, Technology Assn. of Georgia

Loretta Daniels, Ph.D.

Exec. Director, Technology Assn. of Georgia

Loretta Daniels is an expert in organizational Leadership, DEI, conflict management, communication, and leadership coaching who specializes in organizational leadership and cultural competency. She serves as the executive director of TAG Education Collaborative. She has served in past executive leadership roles including chief executive officer, chief operations officer, vice president of sales and marketing, executive director of sales operations, and general manager. In addition, she has written two corporate training manuals, Leading by Example and Fast Track to Excellence. As the former executive director of corporate relations at Kennesaw State University, she worked with medium and large organizations to define and deliver leadership growth certificate programs aligned with the company's vision and objectives. Daniels partnered with executive leadership and HR to determine leadership development goals, identify training gaps, enable cultural workplace initiatives, and implement gender pay equality and equitable hiring and succession planning practices.

Albert Dankwa

Content Program Manager, Xbox

Albert Dankwa

Content Program Manager, Xbox

Albert Dankwa creates informative, educational, and accessible content for fans around the world through text and voiceover scriptwriting, user interface screen capture and storyboarding, video production, and social media copywriting. Dankwa has always had a passion for gaming but also learning and demonstrations, which led him to roles in Microsoft onboarding and training others as well as presenting and creating in physical retail stores, where he began his journey with the company nine years ago. Born and raised in the South Bronx, he has always had gaming in his life — serving as a gateway to imagination and storytelling and as an escape from living in an underserved community. He holds an associate degree in psychology, a bachelor's degree in media communications, and a master’s degree in education. His time in retail was fueled by discipline and going the distance as a 10-time marathon finisher, believing that he would gain and develop the grit to achieve his dreams, including making it into the gaming industry. Dankwa is an advocate for the gaming lifestyle, including accessibility, equality, diversity, inclusion, fashion, and more. It is his mission to share the joy of gaming and help to uplift its communities.

Derek DeVeaux

COO, Tickets for Good

Derek DeVeaux

COO, Tickets for Good

Derek DeVeaux is the chief operating officer for Tickets for Good, where he leads key partnerships and oversees platform product delivery. With more than 20 years of experience in technology and operations, he has worked at every level and across the globe, in a variety of areas from financial services and health sciences to sports media and commercial strategy. He uses his diverse background to see things from a broad perspective, which helps him bring a different approach to situations. DeVeaux is also a proud native of Michigan and is always cheering on his alma mater, the University of Michigan.

Brennen Dicker

Executive Director, CMII at Georgia State

Brennen Dicker

Executive Director, CMII at Georgia State

Brennen Dicker is a seasoned film and television professional with 25 years of experience. As executive director of the Creative Media Industries Institute at Georgia State University, he leads a diverse institute serving over 900 students in media entrepreneurship, game design, development, and Virtual Production/VFX. Previously, Dicker was general manager at SIM International (Post) Atlanta, contributing to series like The Walking Dead and The Vampire Diaries. His career includes roles at Crawford Media Services and American Mongrel Productions. Dicker's accolades include the 2001 Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Fellowship, the 2018 WIFTA Gallantry Award, and a 2022 TAG Impact Award nomination. He serves on several industry committees and boards, enhancing his multifaceted career.

Nwanyinma Dike

Georgia AIM Startup Catalyst, ATDC

Nwanyinma Dike

Georgia AIM Startup Catalyst, ATDC

Ken Durand

Director, Boomtown Innovation

Ken Durand

Director, Boomtown Innovation

With a wide and varied background of startup and corporate business experience, Ken Durand has extensive expertise in guiding teams through the strategic processes of evaluating ideas and solutions that complement the business vision. As a veteran of four startups, he has experienced both successful exits and failure alike. In his current role leading the Boomtown operations in Atlanta, Durand works directly with startups for multiple programs that accentuate innovation for Comcast NBCU. Through interactions with customers, internal stakeholders, and the partner/startup community, he maintains keen insight into the needs and desires of both the consumer marketplace and the providers who serve it.

Dominique Ebron

Programming Director, ASIFA-South

Dominique Ebron

Programming Director, ASIFA-South

As a 3D artist, Dominique Ebron brings visions to life through work deeply rooted in authentic representations of the African diaspora. Drawing inspiration from the rich and diverse cultures often underrepresented in mainstream media, Ebron uses specific cultural references to tell untold stories and highlight marginalized communities. Passionate about education and community engagement, she teaches animation programs and assists with stop-motion workshops as a teaching artist with ASIFA-South. Through this work, Ebron aims to inspire future animators and artists. Each piece is a celebration of heritage, honoring the beauty and resilience of the cultures represented and expanding the narratives we share.

Rodney Elmore

Principal Cloud Solutions Architect, Microsoft

Rodney Elmore

Principal Cloud Solutions Architect, Microsoft

Rodney Elmore is a principal cloud solution architect at Microsoft. He works with some of the top manufacturing companies to do digital transformations in the areas of big data, AI/ML, and generative AI. He also has experience in R&D in the aerospace and defense industry, where he researched developing natural language processing technologies. With over 20 years of industry experience, he has delivered innovative and scalable AI and big data solutions for various industries, including manufacturing, banking, and government. Elmore is a graduate of Georgia State University and is based out of Atlanta.

Abe Geiger

Chief Product Officer, U.S. Soccer

Abe Geiger

Chief Product Officer, U.S. Soccer

Abe Geiger is an experienced product executive with a passion for leveraging technology and data to drive innovation. His professional background includes entrepreneurial roles in legal, sports, media, and marketing software and data companies. A former youth national team player, he brings a unique blend of industry expertise and personal passion to his role as chief product officer at U.S. Soccer. Abe studied political science at Stanford University, where he also captained the soccer team for three years, then earned his MBA from Columbia Business School, where he studied entrepreneurship and venture capital.

Bobby Gilbert

CEO, OnboardFi

Bobby Gilbert

CEO, OnboardFi

Bobby Gilbert is the founder and CEO of OnboardFi, a developer-friendly API to build fintech AI agents. He is a 2x founder with more than five years in the fintech space.

Addy Ghani

VP of Virtual Production, Disguise

Addy Ghani

VP of Virtual Production, Disguise

As the VP of virtual production, Addy Ghani is immersed in studio workflows and industry standards for film and television production. He is building a Disguise creator community and strategies that will further the proliferation of virtual production across all tiers of M&E. Before joining Disguise, Ghani designed and built world-class stages for DreamWorks, Verizon Media, and NBCUniversal to help creatives visualize their dreams. He is well-versed in real-time VFX and animation, as well as emerging formats like XR, AR, and VR. He is an unofficial Unreal Engine Evangelist and a Fellow. And he may go into depth on the cinema lenses and color palettes of films.

Erik Gordon

VP, Corporate Relations, FilmHedge

Erik Gordon

VP, Corporate Relations, FilmHedge

Erik Gordon serves as partner and VP of Corporate Relations for FilmHedge, the fastest-growing independent film and television financing company in the world. His past achievements as a consultant and entrepreneur give him a proven track record of leadership in innovation, strategy, marketing, and relationship building. Gordon’s media achievements include helping radio and podcast networks achieve their goals, while also helping film and TV get across the finish line. He has served as a professor of business, marketing, and organizational theory and behavior at several academic institutions, and he has a strong network and foothold in the media entrepreneurship sector and the Black entrepreneurial community, where his leadership has made an impact on many people.

Celest Turner Hall

Founder, Shining Opus LLC

Celest Turner Hall

Founder, Shining Opus LLC

n the rapidly changing world of technology and innovation, Celest Turner Hall stands out as a catalyst for transformation. As the visionary founder of Shining Opus, a consultancy that helps businesses identify, design, and accelerate growth, Hall draws on her decades of experience in leading technology and service brands. Her journey is marked by pivotal roles, including her tenure as senior vice president of EnterpriseDB. Here, she was critical in orchestrating a metamorphosis, propelling the company beyond its niche database origins into an emerging data and AI platform, expanding the total addressable market fivefold. Before this, Hall was the global vice president of marketing insights at Sage Group, a global leader in finance, HR, and payroll solutions. Among her notable achievements were designing the first go-to-market strategy for Sage’s SaaS solutions globally and pioneering Sage's global needs-based segmentation to relaunch the brand for the next generation of decision-makers. Hall's expertise extends across diverse domains, having crafted data-driven market development and partner marketing strategies for industry giants like Intel, Verizon, and AEGON. Her impact spans continents, with successful launches of SaaS solutions, consumer electronics, and innovations across the Americas, EMEA, and ANZ regions, driving substantial pipeline and revenue growth. Beyond her professional achievements, Hall is deeply passionate about connection and knowledge sharing. She believes true success lies in perpetual learning and building genuine human connections.

Todd Harris

CEO, Skillshot Media and Ghost Gaming

Todd Harris

CEO, Skillshot Media and Ghost Gaming

Todd Harris (@toddalanharris) is an accomplished entrepreneur who has been leading video game and esports businesses for 15 years and involved with technology product startups for 25 years. After leading product development at fintech companies Radiant Systems and BlueCube Software, he co-founded Hi-Rez Studios, one of the largest video game studios in the Southeast with 120 million players. Harris is the founder and CEO of Skillshot Media, a leading esports production company; CEO of esports professional organization Ghost Gaming; chair of the Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations; and chair of the Atlanta Esports Alliance.

Peter Hriso

Professor of Digital Animation, Kennesaw State University

Peter Hriso

Professor of Digital Animation, Kennesaw State University

Peter Hriso is a Kennesaw State University professor leading the online Master of Arts in Art and Design program, which offers concentrations in digital animation, art education, and museum studies. He has been an educator in animation for over two decades and teaches digital animation and motion graphics to graduate and undergraduate students. With a background in animation and interactive production, he has worked with clients such as Compaq, Ford, and VW. His expertise includes 3D animation, motion graphics, and digital media curriculum design. His primary role has always been to bridge the gap between design and technology.

Eric Iverson

Chief Technology Officer, United Talent Agency

Eric Iverson

Chief Technology Officer, United Talent Agency

Eric Iverson is a senior technology executive and a 25-year veteran of Media and Entertainment. He is currently the CTO for United Talent Agency (UTA), where he oversees Product & Engineering, Strategic Technology Partnerships, IT Operations, and Cybersecurity. Previously, he has held positions as the Head of Product Strategy at Amazon Studios, Chief Technology Officer for the Media & Entertainment Global Vertical at Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at the leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where he oversaw the CAAtech department. Before joining CAA in 2016, Iverson spent more than 17 years at Sony Pictures. In his capacity as Divisional CIO for Sony Pictures Television, he was responsible for the global systems portfolio and led strategic technology change initiatives for television production, distribution, and network & digital channels. Eric is engaged in several industry-wide initiatives, including EIDR, MESA, HITS, Evanta CIO and CDO groups, SCSIM, WiTH, and the SoCal Women’s CIO Certification Program. In 2019, Eric was a finalist for the LA Business Journal’s Enterprise CIO of the Year Award. In 2022, Eric was awarded the ‘Women In Technology Hollywood’ Leadership Award, and in 2023, Eric was recognized as a contributor to the EIDR standard, which won a Technical Emmy. Eric graduated from Pepperdine University with a degree in music.

Ryan Johnson

Founder, Cxmmunity Media

Ryan Johnson

Founder, Cxmmunity Media

Ryan Johnson is the founder and CEO of Cxmmunity Media, a media-tech company focused on future-proofing diversity in the esports and gaming industry by creating engaging, educational, and entertaining programming. After graduating from HBCU Oakwood University, Johnson’s passion for advancing the Black community in sports and entertainment led him to evangelize education and economic advancement in these spaces. With this vision, he founded Cxmmunity Media and the HBCU Esports League, one of few Black-owned sports leagues, that provides students from historically Black colleges and universities a safe space to compete and monetize in esports. Johnson began his professional career as an account executive with Vonage Business. Shortly after, he accepted a role as an IT consultant with Adapture, an award-winning IT firm located in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Winning CRN Tech Elite and Atlanta Business Chronicle Pacesetter awards, he developed skills in business development, project management, and customer experience with corporate organizations. Johnson’s dedication to equal access in esports and gaming garnered a partnership between Cxmmunity Media and Twitch, leading to over 45 million viewers and corporate sponsors such as Verizon, Discover, Hot Pockets, Nike/House of Hoops, and MTN Dew. The HBCU Esports League has provided over $1.2 million in scholarships and gaming equipment to students and HBCU gaming programs. In addition to the HBCU Esports League, Cxmmunity Media launched The Kickback, which continues to build visibility for underrepresented creators and gamers through innovative partnerships with brands like Spotify, Amazon Games, and Microsoft.

Brady Jones

Lead Television Replay Operator

Brady Jones

Lead Television Replay Operator

Brady Jones is a two-time national Emmy Award-winning live television replay operator for CBS Sports, FOX Sports, NBC Sports, and others. He made history as the first person of color to serve as the lead EVS operator for a major North American championship (MLB World Series, 2020) and for the Men’s NCAA Tournament and Final Four every year since 2021. With over 14 years of experience, Jones has worked every MLB postseason since 2013, seven Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and six NBA All-Star Games. He is also a consultant and instructor for EVS Replay in North America.

Craig King

CEO & Co-Founder, Rap Plug

Craig King

CEO & Co-Founder, Rap Plug

Craig King is the chairman and co-founder of Rap Plug, which aims to lower the barrier of entry into the music industry and promote the creative economy globally. Rap Plug Academy, through its Pro Class series, introduces students to 50 non-performance careers in the music industry, featuring top professionals in roles such as producing, managing, and digital marketing. King, a Howard University alum, performed with Ray Charles and has worked on numerous Grammy-winning projects. An honoree of President Obama's Lifetime Achievement Award and a member of 100 Black Men of Atlanta, he partners with major brands like Microsoft and Google to educate youth in music and technology.

Marty Lang

Director, MFA in Film, Television, and Digital Media, University of Georgia

Marty Lang

Director, MFA in Film, Television, and Digital Media, University of Georgia

Marty Lang is the director of the MFA in Film, Television, and Digital Media at the University of Georgia. His book, The Self-Sustaining Filmmaker, about crowdsourcing, crowdfunding, and community filmmaking, was No. 1 in film and television books on Amazon upon its June 2024 release. He has written and directed two feature films, and his producing credits include Chompy & the Girls, featuring Udo Kier, Being Michael Madsen, starring Michael Madsen and Virginia Madsen, and The Ride, a comedy web series that premiered at Sundance 2020. He also created the Connecticut Film Industry Training Program, a nationally recognized, state-sponsored workforce development initiative that ran from 2008 to 2012.

Matthew Maloney

Animation Professor, Savannah College of Art and Design

Matthew Maloney

Animation Professor, Savannah College of Art and Design

Matthew Maloney is a professor and digital media artist based in Atlanta. He worked as a modeler, animator, director, creative director, and producer for games, television, and independent film. He has exhibited work at the Black Maria at MOMA, the Louvre Museum’s Lens exhibition, and the Cannes Film Festival. He is the creative director at Black Rainbow Media and has been on the faculty at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) since 2006. As academic director and associate dean, Maloney developed SCAD's Digital Media Center and was responsible for the first-ever student-created VR project to be exhibited at Siggraph. As associate chair of animation, he developed SCAD's short film production pipeline and his recent research has centered on effective and ethical implementation of AI into the concept development process for both student and professional productions. He is currently the graduate coordinator for SCAD's MFA program.

Michael McNamara

Director of Technical Operations, Meptik

Michael McNamara

Director of Technical Operations, Meptik

Michael McNamara began his career in broadcast as an audio operator and eventually worked his way up through the ranks, steadily progressing from hands-on, engineering roles to technical management. His experience ranges from large news organizations to live sports, including the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins. Before joining Meptik, McNamara was a senior broadcast design engineer for the Weather Channel in Atlanta.

Erica Molett

CEO, Beyond the Ball

Erica Molett

CEO, Beyond the Ball

Erica Molett is a highly acclaimed visionary and advocate for youth and economic development, known for sitting at the intersection of innovation, education, and Gen Z/A culture. The multi-hyphenate entrepreneur is the CEO of Expansion Solutions, a workforce development and education firm that unites schools, districts, colleges, and major employers to develop the talent pipeline of the future. She is also the CEO of Beyond the Ball Inc., a global nonprofit that leverages sports to expose youth to math, science, and innovative careers beyond the game. Molett currently serves as the founder and CEO of Banneky.com (Banneky), a multimedia education tech platform hyper-focused on middle and high school students who love art, sports, and gaming. Her organizations have built partnerships with companies like Nike, Microsoft, Sony, the NBA, Gravity Sketch, Toyota, Texas Instruments, and more. Molett spent the first 10 years of her career in the financial industry, focused on investments, estate planning, and commercial banking in Houston and Dallas, Texas. In 2007, she segued into local government with the City of Dallas and the Cedar Hill Economic Development Corporation. She found her passion in aligning the interests of the public and private sectors to support the sustainable growth of cities, disenfranchised citizens, and the business community. Her leadership in building and implementing evidence-based, collaborative models in ex-offender reentry and workforce development garnered the attention of the Department of Justice, Department of Labor, and the White House, resulting in numerous speaking engagements and consulting opportunities in Austin and Washington, D.C. Raised in Fort Worth and a longtime resident of Cedar Hill, Texas, Molett has remained committed to supporting the sustainable growth of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. She holds a BBA in finance from Texas Southern University and is a certified economic development financial professional through the National Development Council. She is a member of Leadership Southwest, the Advisory Board for Two Wins Foundation, and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. You can often find Erica, her husband Fredric, and two boys hiking the beautiful trails in Cedar Hill, playing at Klyde Warren Park, or binge-watching superhero movies.

Fonz Morris

Lead Product Designer, Netflix

Fonz Morris

Lead Product Designer, Netflix

Fonz Morris is a distinguished investor and entrepreneur renowned for his leadership and innovation in the design and technology sectors. As the lead product designer at Netflix, he has been instrumental in driving over $3 billion in revenue and contributing to the company’s growth by 70 million users. Named one of Business Insider’s Most Innovative Designers, he is also a three-time startup founder with a profound impact on the startup ecosystem. Morris is an investor at Glynn Capital and a key figure in http://BLCK.VC. He is also a scholarship recipient from VC University. His advisory roles at SignalFire, First Round Capital, and numerous leading startups underscore his commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial talent and innovation. Additionally, Morris has completed the prestigious Stanford University Design Thinking Program, further refining his strategic approach to design and investment. His multifaceted expertise makes him a pivotal figure in the industry, continuously shaping the future of technology and entrepreneurship.

Kevin Moore

Technical Program Manager, Microsoft

Kevin Moore

Technical Program Manager, Microsoft

Kevin Moore is a telecommunications engineer and program management professional with over 20 years of experience in the industry. He works as an engineering technical program manager at Microsoft, supporting federal government financials. He studied management at the University of Georgia, holds an executive certification in diversity and inclusion from Cornell University, and is passionate about addressing systemic barriers for diverse applicants in the industry. He has held leadership roles in various ERGs and diversity councils and is a board member of WICT and NAMIC. He lives in Georgia with his wife and three sons.

Albert Ng

CEO, Misapplied Sciences

Albert Ng

CEO, Misapplied Sciences

At age 24, Ng co-founded Misapplied Sciences and created the technology behind Parallel Reality™ displays. He is a pioneer in low-latency touchscreens that provide users with an instantaneous response when interacting with their devices. At Stanford, he built high-performance computers and interfaces that advanced the ability of biologists to perform next-generation gene sequence alignment. Ng holds a B.S. from Caltech and an M.S. from Stanford, both in electrical engineering. He has received fellowships from the National Science Foundation, Stanford, and Microsoft Research.

Brandy Nagel

Senior Research Faculty, EI2 Global, Enterprise Innovation Institute, Georgia Tech

Brandy Nagel

Senior Research Faculty, EI2 Global, Enterprise Innovation Institute, Georgia Tech

Brandy Nagel is a senior research faculty and program manager with Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute Global team. In this role, she works with communities and organizations around the world to drive innovation-led economic development. As an entrepreneurship educator, Nagel helps both new and established businesses identify customer segments, distribution channels, and potential partners to grow their businesses. With a focus on innovation and revenue diversification, Nagel works with business owners large and small to develop new business models. She has been involved in university commercialization programs since 2012, working with students, faculty, and staff on spinning up technology-based startups. In addition to her work with early-stage entrepreneurs, she nurtures mentor networks and faculty learning communities focused on entrepreneurship and innovation. Her recent projects include teaching a faculty development program on innovation and entrepreneurship, delivering a workshop on business model canvas and customer discovery, and developing a mentor network to support a community of entrepreneurs. She has taught in Chile, Colombia, India, Puerto Rico, and South Korea. Find her books on Amazon.

Frank Patterson

President, Trilith Studios

Frank Patterson

President, Trilith Studios

Frank Patterson is a studio executive, entrepreneur, and higher education thought leader. He serves as president and CEO of Trilith Studios, the largest purpose-built film studio in North America, where projects from Avengers: Endgame to Judge Steve Harvey were produced. He also serves as the managing director of Trilith Ventures, a fund that invests in early-stage content and technology companies that create value for Trilith Studios and its business ecosystem. Before Trilith, Patterson co-founded and served as the CEO of Pulse Evolution Corporation, a technology company that produces hyper-realistic digital humans for live and virtual reality applications.

Tameka Rish

Sr. Vice President of Fan and Associate Engagement, AMBSE

Tameka Rish

Sr. Vice President of Fan and Associate Engagement, AMBSE

Tameka Rish is the Senior Vice President of Fan and Associate Experience for AMBSE, overseeing the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. She leads fan and associate experience design, including data analysis and event day entertainment. In 2022, she guided the Falcons to the top spot in the NFL's Voice of the Fan survey. Previously, as VP of Event and Game Experience, she managed major events and operations, including a mass vaccination site and the 2020 Senate runoff election. A mentor and community leader, Rish holds a bachelor’s from UNC Chapel Hill and a master’s from UGA, and serves on several boards.

Erika M. Smith

Sr. Manager, Philanthropies, Microsoft

Erika M. Smith

Sr. Manager, Philanthropies, Microsoft

Erika M. Smith is a visionary social innovator driving economic empowerment in underestimated communities. As the leader of Microsoft’s social impact strategy for metro communities and the AI external engagement lead for Microsoft’s community-based program, she is at the forefront of making generative AI accessible to those often left behind by tech innovation. Her groundbreaking Generative AI + Community strategy redefines AI as an inclusive tool, providing small businesses, nonprofits, and underrepresented groups with the education and pathways they need to thrive in the digital era. Passionate about community, Smith has spearheaded movements in metro Atlanta that blend economic growth with cultural preservation. Her leadership at the Annie E. Casey Foundation revolutionized the foundation’s Economic Opportunity Portfolio, fostering deeper investments in community-based organizations and driving youth-led strategies that resulted in scalable solutions for small businesses. With over two decades of experience, Smith’s work extends beyond borders, from advancing fintech in Nigeria to shaping strategic marketing initiatives at top U.S. banks. She’s also the co-founder of Uhuru Concepts, a social innovation and marketing firm blending creativity with purpose to generate real-world impact.

Julie Straw, MPH

Executive Director, RE:IMAGINE

Julie Straw, MPH

Executive Director, RE:IMAGINE

Julie is a trailblazer in youth-focused programming, passionately involved in the creative and digital media sectors. As executive director of the nonprofit RE:IMAGINE, she forges strategic partnerships with industry leaders like NBC Universal and Warner Bros. Discovery, creating pathways for underrepresented youth in creative media careers. She oversees education and workforce programs across Georgia and plans national expansion. Straw, who holds an MPH from Emory Rollins School of Public Health and a B.A. from the University of Michigan, has a rich background in videography and arts programming for justice-involved youth. Her multifaceted skills as a producer, educator, and evaluator have made an impact on hundreds of lives since 2014.

Elizabeth Strickler

Director, Media Entrepreneurship Programs, CMII at Georgia State

Elizabeth Strickler

Director, Media Entrepreneurship Programs, CMII at Georgia State

Elizabeth Strickler is a visionary leader in media entrepreneurship and innovation at Georgia State University, holding dual appointments at the Creative Media Industries Institute and the Robinson College of Business. With a unique blend of academic expertise spanning philosophy, computer science, and digital filmmaking, she bridges disciplines to drive cutting-edge research and education in emerging technologies. Recognized for her groundbreaking 2021 TEDx talk on NFTs, the metaverse, and AI, Strickler is a sought-after speaker and thought leader in these rapidly evolving fields. She collaborates with industry brands and cultural icons to pioneer strategies in web3, blockchain, and virtual experiences, shaping the future of media and cultural economy. Her passion lies in fostering entrepreneurial spirits, crafting immersive worlds, and making learning accessible and fun. Her innovative teaching approaches, both in-person and online, inspire diverse students from undergraduates to MBA and MFA levels. Through interdisciplinary research and industry partnerships, she explores the impact of Extended Reality (XR) in higher education, continually pushing the boundaries of media innovation and creativity.

Paul Stonick

Design Strategist and Consultant

Paul Stonick

Design Strategist and Consultant

Paul Stonick is a seasoned executive leader with a proven track record of driving transformative business outcomes through design strategy and design thinking. With over two decades of “tra-digital” experience in design and e-commerce, and a strong entrepreneurial mindset, Paul has a deep understanding of the current landscape, the power of human-centered principles, and the business value of design. His work has been recognized by industry leaders, media outlets, and prestigious organizations like Forrester and L2 Gartner and has appeared on national television, industry-leading podcasts, Apple's WWDC keynotes, and Super Bowl 58. His deep expertise and innovative approach have made him a sought-after thought leader in the field of design strategy. Stonick also coaches and mentors the next generation of design leaders in his work with Amazing Design People (adplist.org). ADPList inspires powerful conversations and collaborations among designers worldwide so, together, we can change the world with creativity. He is a founding cohort member of Punks & Pinstripes — a private network of transformation executives. Find us at punksandpinstripes.com.

Lee Thomas

Deputy Commissioner, Georgia Film Office

Lee Thomas

Deputy Commissioner, Georgia Film Office

Lee Thomas is the deputy commissioner of the Georgia Film Office, developing the state's film and television industries through marketing, scouting, and coordination. Under her leadership, Georgia has become a top filming location globally, with a $4.1 billion industry spend in 2023 and significant growth in stage space. An Atlanta native, Lee attended NYU's Tisch School and earned a master's in film studies from Georgia State University. She joined the Georgia Film Office in 1996, becoming director in 2010. Lee has worked on projects like Ozark, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and Spider-Man: No Way Home. She enjoys tennis and watching Georgia-lensed productions.

Rachel Wilson

Managing Partner, The BFM Fund

Rachel Wilson

Managing Partner, The BFM Fund

Grant Wainscott

VP, Ecosystem Expansion, Metro Atlanta Chamber

Grant Wainscott

VP, Ecosystem Expansion, Metro Atlanta Chamber

Grant Wainscott is the vice president of Ecosystem Expansion for the Metro Atlanta Chamber, where he leads a team of industry cluster experts to retain, expand, and attract jobs and investment to metro Atlanta, specifically in fintech, cybersecurity, AI, software, and creative industries — while shining the light globally on the assets and brands that have made the region an international hub. He is co-founder and vice chair of the Atlanta Esports Alliance, a founding board member of Fintech Atlanta, and a board member of Tech Alpharetta. He has spoken on stages around the world, including Money 20/20, SXSW, Bits and Pretzels, and others, and has been featured in dozens of podcasts and articles on topics ranging from how to build a fintech ecosystem to the value of arts and culture in a community. Wainscott has spent more than 20 years in economic development roles across the East Coast. Before that, he owned several small tech companies and a West African trading company, ran a tech incubator in North Carolina, and owned a rare book and cigar shop. His work in international trade has brought him to more than 50 countries on six continents, where he led or participated in dozens of business and cultural missions to grow markets and expand trade relations. He holds a B.A. in international business from Florida Southern College and attended universities in Quebec, Canada, and Augsburg, Germany. Originally from Seattle, he has studied and lived in five countries and speaks French and German.

Karlos Walkes

Co-Founder and CEO, XiQ

Karlos Walkes

Co-Founder and CEO, XiQ

Karlos Walkes is the Co-Founder and CEO of XiQ. XiQ enables the conversion of millions of offline vehicles and equipment into IoT smart devices. XiQ is bringing smart technology to multiple types of offline equipment in order to expand the innovation roadmap for equipment and vehicle manufacturers. XiQ is helping customers do this with their product the "FleetQi® " (fleet-key.) By simply replacing the conventional key ignition with the "FleetQi®", vehicles such as golf carts, forklifts, ATVs, and boats are brought online in minutes without special training or tools.

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